Benefits for Part time Study

dew301261

Hi
My 21year old daughter completed her law degree (LLB) 'supported' by the Student loan company last year. She is now at The College of Law studying for her Legal Practice Certificate (LPC) so she can apply for a training contract with a law firm in order to become a qualified solicitor.

She applied for a Professional Development loan with one of the big high street banks, as advised by university. We approached the bank manager in Apil last year and he was quite confident there wouldnt be any problems - but when she applied in August it was declined. In order to continue to work toward her professional qualification she has had to extend the study period and do the course part time over 2 years instead of one, but this has almost doubled the cost.

I have paid her year one course fees (£5000) by remortgaging my house but will not be able to afford to do this again next year. I am helping to pay her rent too, but i am now struggling financially too.

She shares an apartment with 2 full time students (£320 pm) and so she is the only one liable for council tax (£100 pm) She has a part time job - 16 contracted hours pw which pays £400 pm. I obviously help her as much as i can but was looking to see if there are benefits she may be able to claim to help her? It appears to me that her status is no longer regarded as 'student'. As you can imagine she is under considerable financial strain and trying to complete a demanding course of study.

Thank-you.

MrsManda

She may be entitled to some benefits. Have a look at the links below and get her to input her details into the benefits calculators

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/On_a_low_income/DG_10034876

http://www.turn2us.org.uk/benefits_search.aspx

https://www.dwpe-services.direct.gov.uk/portal/page/portal/ba/lp?_piref278_36249_278_36248_36248.__ora_navig=

Loanranger

Many law firms advertise their Training Contract places up to two years in advance so make sure your daughter understands that she needs to get on with applying as soon as possible, if she hasn't already done so. Usually, LLB undergrads start applying for TCs in the summer between their second and third year of university. To commence the LPC without a TC is risky given that there is, and always has been, an oversupply of LPC places compared with TCs.

If she is working part time and studying part time then could she look for further part time work to balance the books?

agrinnall

She can save £66 a month by moving to share a flat with two council tax payers rather than two students.